The holiday season is my favorite time of year: my love language is gifts and it’s my chance to shower my friends and family – and myself – with love in the form of items especially earmarked for them. And as a shopping editor with years of experience in the retail space, it’s basically my Super Bowl. I have plenty of hacks for gift giving, and my top rule is to invest in gifts that feel personalized and special. Some examples? Gifts that speak to your loved one’s personal interests and hobbies like a travel pillow for my sister’s frequent work trips. My go-to candle from Harlem Candle Co. also applies here; it’s a delectable amber scent with a special backstory that feels very intentional for lovers of the Harlem Renaissance like my mother. Likewise, if you don’t have time for a personalized gift, get a present like the digital picture frame I gifted my father that you can add photos to regularly through the app.
Also, don’t be afraid to splurge (and Black Friday sales help if you’re on a budget). As someone who has more Telfar bags than I can count, from the classic shopping bag to the UGG collab mini, I’m gifting Telfar’s viral shopping bag to my cousin for a tote she can carry on days she has to commute to work. I was thrilled to learn some colors are available on Amazon, which means fast shipping. The Samsung Frame TV is another splurge: a gift that will look incredible in my brother’s living room as it rotates between the basketball games he watches and gorgeous paintings in art mode. It’s the thought – and the expertly-curated selection – that counts. Keep scrolling to see what I’m gifting my friends and family this year.
Gift Ideas From a Senior Style Editor:
- This viral lip gloss makes the perfect stocking stuffer:
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Gloss Luminizer at $23 - An amber-scented candle with a heartfelt story behind it:
Harlem Candle Co. Savoy Luxury Candle at $49, originally $52 - My niece will play with this princess-themed tea set for hours:
Belle ‘Be Our Guest’ Singing Tea Cart Play Set – Beauty and the Beast at $50 - A travel pillow my sister can use for long flights:
Trtl Travel Pillow in Coral at $60 - When my mom has to move her daily walks indoors:
Viamotion Walking Pad Treadmill for Home at $115 - My dad’s digital frame lets us remote-add pics of the grandkids:
Aura Carver HD WiFi Digital Picture Frame at $149 - Treating myself to a bar cart for holiday hosting:
Mercer41 Murdock Metal Bar Cart at $165, originally $230 - The viral It bag that comfortably fits a laptop:
Telfar Large Shopping Bag at $272 - For my cool niece who is super into fashion:
Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 36 at $695 - A smart TV that also displays artwork for my brother’s new house:
Samsung 65-Inch Class The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV at $1,098, originally $1,498
